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How we rank AI building tools
Build Stack List scores every tool the same way, so you can compare an app builder with an editor or an agent on equal terms.
The Build Stack score
Each tool gets a 1-10 score on seven criteria. We multiply each by its weight and scale to 100.
| Criterion | Weight | What it measures |
|---|---|---|
| Output quality | 25% | How good, correct and working the generated app or code is. |
| Speed | 15% | Time from idea to a working result. |
| Ease of use | 15% | How easy it is for non-developers. |
| Depth & control | 15% | Code access, export, custom logic and escape hatches. |
| Deploy & integrations | 10% | Hosting, databases, auth, payments and integrations. |
| Pricing value | 10% | What you get for the money, including the free tier. |
| Momentum | 10% | Release pace, community and documentation. |
The three standard builds
- A landing page with a hero, features and a working signup form.
- A CRUD app with login: users sign in, create, edit and delete records.
- A small AI feature: for example, summarize text a user pastes in.
Running the same builds in every tool keeps scores comparable and gives us screenshots and notes for each review.
Where scores stand today
Our launch scores are editorial estimates from public research: pricing pages, docs, changelogs and community feedback, checked in October 2026. We are running the standard builds tool by tool and will label each review once it's hands-on tested. When a score changes, we'll note it on the tool page.
Independence
- No tool can pay to change its score or rank.
- Sponsored and featured placements are always labeled "Sponsored" and shown separately from the ranked list.
- Some links may be affiliate links. They never influence scores. See our disclosure.
Updates
AI tools change weekly. We recheck pricing at least monthly and re-score after major releases. Spotted something out of date? Tell us via the contact form.